New Ulm weekly review., 1887-03-16
TIIR REE- FINGERED JOHNNY.
BIZ ". wH1TwoRTH.

the common run. It seemed, in a sort
aof way, TO be all over him. At the
time / thought there was cast in
one OF his eyes. But in reality there
wasn'a. His light-colored hair grew
in rough tufts, sticking up in the odd
est naanaer; and he had a shambling,
loose pat together appearance, agood
-ieai as # II would be the easiest thing
IN the world to disjoint himself and
.at, tase separate pieces to one side
Without the least trouble or incon-
venience.
But the oldest thing Of all was
1oAn.y's-Johnny Liebenthal was
ills right name, but he was called just
Johany-the oldest thing about him
was his laugh. He seemed to laugh all
son one side of his face. To save my
aeck couldn't have told why. Then,
lie had only three 6ngures- rather,
two fingers and a thumb-on his left
Hand. The middle fingers had been
dat off close to the palm.
That was how he got tie name of
tThree- fingered Johnny" He got it
,on the spot, the first day he showed
rfp in the factory, from little Smagg,
I the conical coot from California. And
Eight away it.was decided that he was
Especially intended to be the standing
! BUTT OF the shop.
"Three fingered Johnny" was the
: opening shot, followed by a. continu-
Gus peal ofslurs and rasping rough
ibkes. ~"His eyes buzzing round,
looking six ways for Sunday" one
4aou5ed. Then another would howl.
<Dh, scissors! see him laugh, one side
q his jaw left-handed!" And a third
aS{he: "Sam, borrow one of his legs for
Ashoeaaker's sign; it only hangs by
;, ,asWiYe."
unfortunately for Johnny, it was
quickly discovered that he was ex-
ttesaefy sensitive, and from this he be.
r<3asne pegged at ten times more ag-
eGavatingly, until the poor lads life
snas a burden to him.
Hit him again! He's got no friends.
This from Smagg, at the close of a
sef spell OF roasting that had almost
driven Johnny wild. He was like all
s8nimal at bay among a pack of saw
age dogs, utterly powerless to help
kAinaself, for Borlag, the foreman, who
should have interfered in his behalf,
abok sneaking delight in watching the
Rrture, and seized every sly oppor-
Sdnlty to eegg it on"
Poor Johnny; he was only a. little
over twenty years DID, and had un-
dpubtedly been kicked about and cow
= M down bill he was afraid to show
defiant resentment of the shameful
seigatment.
One day when he had been more
than usually goaded he ran up stairs
ipto the room Of George Fanch, one
n she tuners, the moment the steam
whistle blew the evening hour OF quit
ting.
sF'anch was the foremost man in the
shop. He'd been through college, in
tending to study for doctor, but on
:aFcount Of his health had had to
change to his present occupation. He
saraed big wages, dressed like a gentle
rlhan, and was first chap man every
way.
When Johnny reached his room he
was all over in such tremor Of ex-
>c[tenent that the tears actually stood
ih.his eyes, and he trembled so he had
sfb lean against the wall and gasp for
Breath Az soon as he could speak
Aaeheked out the words:-
For Gods sake. tell me how can
beat them ellows!-show 'em I'm not
the stupid fool they take me for.
Ard most OF all show me how to get
>sVen with that mean whelp, Borlag g!''
hWhat makes the foreman so extra
d0Wn On you johnny" Fanch in
e4ired.
aNBecause I wouldn't set up an
taHahth Of beer. 1t wasn't on account
Heared about the money, but prom
Ned mother would never have any
thing to do with liquor that makes
men drunk"
He could have added that his faith
srs drunken habits had ruined their
home, made his mothers life one un-
aroken reign OF destitution and mis-
eH. learned that afterwards, as l
dN that Johnny, ever since his tenth
ysar-by selling papers, as shoe
bblack, in every way by which he could
ssarn an honest dollar-had been the
chief support OF his mother from the
ahy she was left q penniless widow to
a&P period OF her death. AS was in
:sNltable, this early introduction into
aaEr0le Of enforced bread-winning had
CAUSED sad lack Of educational oppor-
ENTITIES. In fact, when he came TO the
4o6ory he could bearly write his
sakme, and with difficulty spell his
swpy through a paragraph Of easy
areading.
think none of the shop taunts cut
lim SO keenly as did the slurs cast at
Ee wooden headed ignorance 1t
s8hs constantly cried out that ne
aSaldn't tell "B from bulls foot"
aaad that any one could see that he
had been raised in saw mill!"
This from Borlag He was course
gfe6aed, Unconditional boor, particu-
laEly Vindictive when crossed in his
Afms; q great swiller of beer, and firm
1AbeHef that man who refuses to